Shinedown booked at Soul Kitchen after BayFest collapse

When BayFest’s cancellation was announced, local venues and promoters began to scramble to see if they could secure performances from some of the bands already booked to play the festival. Soul Kitchen was successful in booking Shinedown for Friday, Oct. 2 (doors at 7:30 p.m.), a group that has been the darling of mainstream rock radio for more than a decade. Nine of its singles have shot to No. 1 on the Billboard U.S. Mainstream Rock chart. Its current No. 1 single is “Cut the Cord” from its latest effort, “Threat to Survival.”

(Photo/ Facebook.com/Shinedown) Former BayFest artist Shinedown will play at Soul Kitchen after its performance at the festival was canceled.

Shinedown fans have long awaited the release of this fifth studio album, which frontman Brent Smith touts as the band’s “most autobiographical.” With a tour itinerary full of arena and festival performances, Shinedown fans should recognize Soul Kitchen’s size and set-up will allow the audience to experience the band in a relatively intimate environment.

Tickets are on sale now and selling for $45 in advance and $50 day-of (if available). Side riser tickets are available for $75 (limited quantity). Tickets are available at Soul Kitchen, its website and Mellow Mushroom (both locations) or by calling 1-866-468-7630.

Steal your White Animal face As news of BayFest began to spread far and wide, two shows served as reminders locals do not need a festival to see their favorite bands or experience a new one, especially if they’re local. On Friday, Sept. 18, White Animals reunited with Azalea City fans at the Spring Hill Swim Club. This unique event served as a reunion for many Mobilians. Wandering through the crowd, one would have caught a veritable snapshot of a scene from Mobile’s past. This magical atmosphere was conjured by the indie rock forefathers performing above them.

The public can embrace the anachronistic ‘80s tribute bands all they want, but White Animals are the real deal. Their jangling brand of classic indie rock was clean and tight. Time has not altered the band’s ability to bring the crowd into their world. Fans of modern indie music who didn’t attend this show missed an opportunity to witness the roots of their sonic fascination.

Across town on the same night, The Stolen Faces were jamming the night away at The Brickyard. This Nashville-based Grateful Dead tribute band features bassist Christian Grizzard (Grayson Capps & the Lost Cause Minstrels), guitarist Jack Silverman and numerous hired guns comprising Nashville’s top session artists. Their beautiful take on the Dead’s catalog has quickly made them the Southeast’s premiere Dead tribute band. Their show at The Brickyard legitimizes this description.

Vocally and instrumentally, The Stolen Faces successfully captures the energy of The Grateful Dead. Songs such as “Loose Lucy,” “Casey Jones” and “Sugar Magnolia” were played with crystalline accuracy. The group has also perfectly mastered The Dead’s vocal harmonies. The Stolen Faces packed The Brickyard, and their audience remained with them for the entire performance.

About The Author

With the exception of two years spent at Auburn University, Steve Centanni has spent his life in Mobile County while focusing on his two passions: music and the written word. As soon as he was issued his driver’s license, Centanni began to explore the local music scene in the early ‘90s.
He filled his weekend with visits classic local venues such as the Four Strong Winds Coffee House, Vincent Van Go-Go’s and Culture Shock, all of which welcomed those who had yet to reach 18. After high school, Centanni traded Mobile for Auburn to complete his B.A. in English with an emphasis on general writing.
While at Auburn, he had the honor of studying under the Pulitzer-winning poet Natasha Trethewey, who served as the nation’s Poet Laureate in 2012 and 2014. After receiving his diploma, Centanni quickly moved back to Mobile and completed the University of South Alabama’s graduate program with a M.Ed. Eventually, he was tapped by the nationally distributed Volume Entertainment Magazine to serve as the magazine’s managing editor/senior writer.
His time with Volume allowed him to exercise his love for both music and writing. As Volume began to fade, Lagniappe recruited Centanni as their Music Writer and later their Music Editor, where he has remained for a little over a decade.
As far as his involvement in the local music scene, Centanni organized Cess Fest at the Langan Park, which was a mini-festival focused on original local music in a time when original local music was veritably taboo in Downtown Mobile. For a short time, he brought original music to Downtown Mobile as the in-house promoter for the now deceased venue Cell Block. He managed local underground powerhouse Fry Cook, until the members parted ways. Centanni has lent his bass to bands such as Keychain Pistol and The F’n A-Holes, and he toured nationally as a member of Abstract Artimus & the Torture Children.
Currently, he provides vocals for the garage blues rock outfit Johnny No. Ultimately, Centanni’s experience in the local music scene as both a participant and an observer has allowed him to witness the ever-changing persona of Mobile’s enigmatic music scene, which continues to leave him with more questions than answers.